Preventive Measures for Reducing Damage to Bagged Commercial Seed in Warehouses
Prepared by:
Stephen Bambara and Mike Waldvogel, Extension Entomologists
Stored commercial seed can have its own set of pest problems which differ
from bulk stored grain on a farm. Following is a list of precautions that
a warehouse operator may take to reduce the likelihood of losses from stored
product pests to bagged grain.
(photo courtesy Montana Flour and Grains)
- Keep all lots stored or stacked separately and clearly marked. If a
problem develops, it may be able to be isolated within an individual lot.
- Rotate stock to minimize the time any product will remain under storage.
- Maintain a warehouse climate at optimal storage temperature and humidity.
- Maintain a sound building with no leaks, damp spots, gaps, holes, or
uncontrolled openings.
- Reseal or repair any damaged or opened bags as soon as possible.
- Clean up any spilled grain quickly and discard away from the premises.
- Keep all stacks of grain 12 to 18 inches away from any wall to allow
ventilation and limit stack height to allow easy inspection.
- Remove all bird nests and prevent roosting and access of birds to the
building.
- Make routine inspections as often as every two weeks and no less frequently
than monthly looking for any of the following signs:
- Rodent droppings or gnawing damage around walls or on bags.
- Moth larvae, cocoons, or webbing on bags or walls.
- Tiny "sawdust" piles on bags or on floor under bags.
- Emergence ("shot") holes in sides of bags.
- Rodent burrow holes around the exterior of the building.
- Excessive small moths flying around stacks or lights at night.
- Rodent traps, light traps, and pheromone traps may be used to help
monitor the presence of pests.
- Before any control measures are taken, be sure pest is accurately identified.
- If fumigation becomes necessary, it should be performed by a pest control
operator holding a fumigation license or employee holding fumigation certification.
Select a fumigant that will not affect seed germination.
- NC Agr. Chem Manual
- Insect Pests of Farm Stored Grain
ENT/smg-05
Prepared by S. Bambara & M. Waldvogel, Extension Entomologists. Photo courtesy of Montana Flour and Grains.
Sept. 93. Last reviewed November 2010.